Let’s Talk About Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call
Turkey hunting. It’s not just a sport; it’s a symphony of deception, patience, and a deep connection with the spring woods. The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call, crafted by Bone Collector, promises to be a key instrument in that symphony, luring those elusive gobblers within striking distance.
What drew me to the Sweet April was its promise of clear sound and all-weather performance. I’ve been burned by calls that sound great in the shop but fail miserably when the wind picks up or a little moisture creeps in. The claim that this call “will consistently perform in the worst conditions” was a siren song I couldn’t ignore.
Unboxing the Sweet April, I was immediately struck by its simple, yet elegant design. The mahogany cup feels substantial in the hand, and the glass surface appears flawlessly smooth. The included Diamond Wood striker feels well-balanced and comfortable. My initial thought was that this call felt like a premium product, one that was crafted by someone who understands the nuances of turkey hunting.
I’ve used other glass-over-glass calls, like the Primos Power Crystal and the Zink Calls Wicked Series Glass, in the past. The Sweet April stood out because it claims to deliver clear sounds that cut through wind. The others were effective, but often lost clarity in windy conditions. This is the primary reason I chose to try the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call.
My first impression was one of cautious optimism. It looks and feels the part of a quality call. Whether it will actually perform and deliver the sounds the turkeys crave, well, that’s what I’m here to find out.
Real-World Testing: Putting Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call to the Test
First Use Experience
My first outing with the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call was on a blustery spring morning in the Ozark Mountains. The wind was howling, and previous calls would have been rendered nearly useless. I set up against a large oak, carefully positioned to break the wind as much as possible, and gave the Sweet April its first try.
The call produced a clear, high-pitched yelp that cut through the wind surprisingly well. Even with the gusts, the sound carried, and within minutes, I heard a distant gobble. This turkey was more responsive than I had ever hoped for. I was thoroughly impressed!
The call required minimal practice to produce a variety of calls, from soft clucks and purrs to aggressive cutting. There were no initial issues, and the call felt intuitive and easy to use right out of the box. The sound was consistent and reliable, giving me confidence in its ability to attract birds.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of hunting in various conditions, the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call has become my go-to call. It has consistently performed well, even in rain and damp conditions. The glass-over-glass design seems resistant to moisture, maintaining its clear tone even when wet.
So far, there are no signs of significant wear and tear. The mahogany cup remains solid, and the glass surface is free of scratches or cracks, despite being carried in my vest pocket. I simply wipe the surface clean after each use with a soft cloth. I occasionally use a scouring pad to rejuvenate the glass surface for optimal sound production.
In comparison to previous calls I’ve used, the Sweet April outperforms them in both sound quality and weather resistance. It’s a reliable and effective tool that I trust to bring turkeys into range. It has exceeded expectations!
Breaking Down the Features of Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call
Specifications
The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call features a glass surface over a glass tone board, creating a distinct sound. It is housed in a premium mahogany cup for enhanced resonance and durability. The call is hand-tuned, ensuring optimal sound quality straight out of the package. It comes with a Diamond Wood striker, designed to produce a variety of turkey sounds.
The glass-over-glass construction delivers a clear, high-pitched sound that travels well in open woods. The mahogany cup adds warmth and depth to the tone, creating a realistic turkey vocalization. The hand-tuning ensures that the call performs consistently, and the Diamond Wood striker allows for precise control over the sound.
Performance & Functionality
The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call excels at producing a wide range of realistic turkey sounds. It’s capable of creating soft clucks and purrs for close-range calling, as well as loud yelps and cuts for attracting distant birds. The call’s ability to cut through wind is a significant advantage in challenging hunting conditions.
The strength of the Sweet April lies in its consistency and clarity. It produces reliable sounds with minimal effort, making it suitable for both experienced and novice callers. A slight weakness is the potential for the glass surface to become slick in very wet conditions, requiring occasional roughening with sandpaper. This is typical of many glass calls though. It definitely meets expectations.
Design & Ergonomics
The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call features a compact and ergonomic design. It fits comfortably in the hand, allowing for easy manipulation and control. The mahogany cup is lightweight yet durable, providing a solid base for the glass surface.
The call is user-friendly. It requires minimal practice to produce a variety of turkey sounds. The only potential learning curve is mastering the different striker angles and pressures needed to create various vocalizations.
Durability & Maintenance
The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call is built to last. The mahogany cup and glass surface are resistant to wear and tear, and the included striker is made from durable Diamond Wood. With proper care, this call should provide years of reliable service.
Maintenance is simple. Just wipe the glass surface clean after each use and occasionally roughen it with a scouring pad to maintain optimal sound production. The mahogany cup can be treated with a wood preservative to protect it from moisture and damage.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call comes with a single Diamond Wood striker. The ability to combo with different strikers to change tonality, pitch, and raspiness is a unique feature. Using different strikers can significantly alter the call’s sound, allowing hunters to fine-tune their calling to match the preferences of local turkeys.
The call is compatible with most commercially available strikers designed for friction calls. This gives hunters a wide range of customization options to explore and allows them to create a truly unique and personalized sound. Using a slate striker will produce more rasp, for instance.
Pros and Cons of Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call
Pros
- Clear, High-Pitched Sound: The glass-over-glass construction produces a crisp, realistic turkey sound that carries well.
- All-Weather Performance: The call performs reliably even in wet and windy conditions.
- Versatile Sound Options: It is capable of producing a wide range of turkey vocalizations, from soft clucks to aggressive cuts.
- Durable Construction: The mahogany cup and glass surface are built to withstand the rigors of hunting.
- Customization Options: Compatible with various strikers, allowing for personalized sound tuning.
Cons
- Glass Surface Can Be Slick: The glass surface may become slick in very wet conditions, requiring occasional roughening.
- Price: The call is relatively expensive compared to other friction calls.
Who Should Buy Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call?
The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call is perfect for serious turkey hunters who demand high-quality sound and reliable performance in all conditions. Experienced callers will appreciate the call’s versatility and customization options. Novice hunters will find it easy to use and capable of producing realistic turkey sounds.
Hunters on a tight budget or those who primarily hunt in sheltered areas with calm weather may want to consider a less expensive call. Also, individuals who hunt in areas where glass calls may be prohibited may wish to avoid this call as well.
A must-have accessory would be a call carrier to protect the glass surface during transport. An assortment of strikers will also allow for the user to produce a wider range of turkey sounds.
Conclusion on Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call
The Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call is a top-tier turkey call that delivers exceptional sound quality and reliable performance. Its ability to cut through wind and produce a wide range of realistic turkey sounds makes it a valuable tool for any serious turkey hunter. While it may be more expensive than other friction calls, the Sweet April offers a level of performance and durability that justifies the price.
The value proposition is strong. The price is justified by its all-weather performance, clear sound, and durable construction.
I would personally recommend the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call to any hunter looking for a reliable and effective tool to lure those elusive gobblers into range. If you are serious about turkey hunting, then consider investing in the Bone Collector Sweet April Turkey Friction Call and experience the difference it can make in your success.